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Lidget Green husband appears in court to admit killing wife

A husband appeared in the dock at Bradford Crown Court yesterday to admit killing his young wife at their Bradford home.

But Danish Irfan, 22, has denied murdering Ridda Zanab, who had given birth to their daughter only weeks before.

He will face trial on the murder charge in July after accepting he caused his 21-year-old wife’s death through loss of control.

Irfan faced charges for the first time when he appeared before High Court judge Mr Justice Globe yesterday.

Flanked in the dock by two security officers, Irfan, who was wearing a grey top, black leather jacket and grey trousers, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ridda Zanab, on November 3 last year, but guilty to her manslaughter.

Prosecutor Jonathan Sharpe told the judge he had spoken to the reviewing lawyer and the senior investigating police officer in the case and the pleas were not acceptable and there would have to be a trial.

Irfan’s barrister, Yunus Valli, said a defence statement had been signed and served.

Mr Valli said the basis of his client’s plea was loss of control and that was the sole issue.

Mr Justice Globe said the trial would begin on July 21 and it was estimated it would last five days.

Mr Sharpe said there would be a CCTV compilation, showing footage of the defendant’s movements shortly after the death of his wife.

An Urdu interpreter will be provided to assist Irfan at his trial.

Irfan, of Alford Terrace, Lidget Green, Bradford, who is clean shaven with short dark hair, was remanded in custody until his trial.

Mrs Zanab’s body was found in an upstairs bedroom of the family’s home in Alford Terrace, in the early hours of November 3 last year.

Police had forced entry after being alerted by a member of the public who was concerned about her welfare.

Mrs Zanab, who was born in Bradford, was pronounced dead at the scene.

She and her husband had met through mutual friends in the city months before they were married in 2012.

Irfan had previously worked in fast food restaurants and had been a student.